Invasive species pose one of the greatest threats to the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. That’s why WildAid has teamed up with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment and the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency on a four-month campaign to protect these unique islands.

The campaign kicked off earlier this month with a Spanish-language PSA starring Ecuadorian actress and TV personality Érika Vélez, one of several new WildAid ambassadors from Latin America. Joining Miss Vélez on the campaign are: Ecuadorian TV personality and actor Efraín Ruales; former Miss Ecuador and model Alejandra Argudo; and Henry Bayas, guitarist for the Galapagos band Sin Residencia.

Filmed on several different islands, these new PSAs feature stunning footage of the archipelago’s array of species: sea lions frolicking in the waves, seabirds swooping across the sky and marine iguanas sunning on the rocks.

Through the accompanying social media campaign, the celebrities encourage their followers to take small actions to protect the Galapagos, such as properly declaring what items they bring with them to the islands.

Why? Many visitors to the Galapagos are unaware that the items they bring with them may be carriers for pests or diseases that could decimate vulnerable native species. Because of the islands’ sheer isolation (the Galapagos are located nearly 600 miles from mainland Ecuador), native species are particularly affected by pests such as fire ants, which harm native reptiles, or diseases like avian influenza, from which native birds have little or no immunity.

Visitors are prohibited from bringing food items such as passion fruit, fresh cheese or seeds, but many tourists aren’t aware of these regulations and why they matter. This campaign seeks to fill in the knowledge gaps and to reduce the risk of contamination on the islands.

Launched on January 14, Miss Vélez’s PSA has already reached more than 1 million people in Ecuador — out of a 15 million total country population. It has garnered more than 7,000 comments, likes and shares, and the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency’s Facebook fan page has nearly doubled in page likes.

Supporting the construction of a new port on mainland Ecuador to improve cargo inspection prior to being loaded on vessels leaving for the Galapagos

Launching public awareness campaign in 2014 featuring Latin Grammy-winning artists, Jorge Villamizar and Juan Fernando Velasco to motivate locals and tourists to prevent the introduction of invasive species

Together with the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency, we will continue to educate the public about the dangers of bringing organic products into the islands and improve detection of prohibited goods and invasive species at various checkpoints.

WildAid and the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency are helping reduce the threat of invasive species on the Galapagos with the support of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, National Geographic, IGTOA, Veritas DDB and Lindblad Expeditions.

About WildAid

WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhino horn and shark fin soup. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and global network of media partners, WildAid leverages nearly $300 million in annual pro-bono media support with a simple message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too.